What My Sorority Experience as a Latina Actually Taught Me About Leading a Community
When I joined Sigma Lambda Gamma in the spring of 2015, I thought I was signing up for sisterhood, fun events, and a sense of belonging. What I didn’t realize was that I was stepping into one of the most formative leadership training grounds of my life. Long before I held formal titles in my professional career, I was being shaped, pushed, stretched, and refined by the real, everyday responsibilities of being part of a community that expected excellence, accountability, and growth.
Sororities Teach the Operational Core of Leadership
As a first-generation Latina navigating college, I was pushed out of my comfort zone in ways that formal education never required. I learned discipline early on: being on time wasn’t optional, presentation mattered, and how I carried myself reflected not just me, but my entire organization. These weren’t abstract ideas, they were daily expectations that quickly became habits. I learned how to manage my time between school, work, being an active member, and serving on leadership boards at my university. I learned how to communicate across different personalities, show up prepared, and hold myself accountable while also being accountable to a team. That balance between responsibility to self and responsibility to others is something I still carry with me in my professional life today.
Real Stakes, Real Growth
Greek life isn’t a simulation, it’s real life, with real consequences and real impact. Serving in leadership while juggling school and work forced me to develop resilience and adaptability early on. There were deadlines, expectations, and people counting on me. I couldn’t opt out when things got hard. I had to rise. That experience translated seamlessly into my adult life, where balancing a full-time leadership role in the corporate world while serving on boards and community initiatives feels natural because I’ve been doing it since I was 19.
The Power of Network and Opportunity
One of the most impactful aspects of my sorority experience was the network. Just a year after joining Sigma Lambda Gamma, I landed my first internship at 5P Marketing Group through a connection with one of our chapter’s founding sisters. That opportunity became a cornerstone of my professional development, and the owner of the company became a lifelong mentor. That’s the power of being in rooms with women who are ambitious, connected, and willing to open doors, but also learning how to build and nurture those relationships with intention. The network doesn’t end after graduation, it evolves with you.
The Women Who Shaped My Leadership
Some of the most important leadership lessons I’ve learned didn’t come from classrooms or corporate training, they came from the women beside me. Maria Garcia inspired me to become a community leader and activist, creating space for sisters to stay informed and engaged on
important issues. To this day, she remains someone I can turn to for guidance or connection. Michelle Villela taught me to be unapologetically myself, showing me that authenticity is power and that a sister isn’t always blood, it’s who chooses you day in and day out. Yesenia Puga instilled discipline and emotional intelligence in me. She taught me to be on time, manage relationships wisely, prioritize my future, and stay true to myself even when things got difficult. When you’re 18, in a new city, away from home, those relationships aren’t just meaningful, they’re foundational.
Finding Your Voice Through Leadership
Through public speaking opportunities and leadership roles within my chapter and the broader Greek community, I also found my voice. I learned how to speak in front of audiences, present ideas clearly, and carry myself with confidence. I learned how to be both warm and commanding, how to be personable yet firm, and how to stand my ground. Because of that, stepping into professional leadership roles later in life felt less intimidating and more familiar.
Sisterhood Beyond College
More than ten years later, I’ve remained an active alum, and that decision continues to shape my life in meaningful ways. I’ve built lifelong friendships, expanded my network, and connected with a multitude of inspiring women who continue to pour into me. There is something powerful about watching your sisterhood grow beyond college into a lifelong community. When I count my blessings, my sorority is one of the biggest.
How to Stay Active as a Sorority Alumna
For anyone who has graduated and is wondering how to stay connected, my advice is simple: stay involved in a way that fits your life. Join your local alumni association, show up to events when you can, and don’t underestimate the impact of simply staying in touch. I highly recommend becoming a chapter advisor if you have the opportunity, it’s incredibly fulfilling to give back and pour into the next generation. Our younger sisters need us, and they truly value our time and experience. It’s also a reminder that leadership doesn’t end when college does, it evolves.
Final Reflection
My sorority experience didn’t just give me memories, it gave me structure, discipline, confidence, a lifelong network, and an extended family. It taught me how to lead not just in title, but in action, in community, and with purpose. And as a Latina, it gave me a space to grow into my voice, own my presence, and build a legacy rooted in both culture and leadership.
That’s something no classroom, job, or training program could have ever fully replicated.
Instagram: @WendyAbigail15
LinkedIn: Wendy Reyna, MBA
